Lesson in Music

When we arrived at the office today, we were greeted by a group of missionaries. One half of them were new arrivals from last transfer that were gathered to be transported to the Capital to start the process to get their visas. Their companions would be going with them, of course. However, the combi that was scheduled to take them was late. If it came too much later, it would foul up the plans to get them to the Capital to get fingerprinted and a criminal record check and then back to the mission home for some training and lunch. Elder Nelson, who scheduled everything was a bit nervous, to say the least.

The combi came an hour and a half late, but by some miraculous intervention, the missionaries were delivered to the mission home by about 12:30. . . . a little late, but still in good time. We all breathed a sign of relief.

I spent the morning working on baptism. I entered some, and called to find those that I did not have. Then, in the afternoon, I worked on my carpetas for the new missionaries that are coming. I finished seven binders today, and have six more to do.

Elder Kroff spent most of the day answering calls from concerned elders who, upon trying to withdraw some of their money with their debit cards, were being charged a fee to do so. Since this is "P" day, they needed money for groceries. After calling around to see why this is all of a sudden happening, he found out that Argentina has passed a law that allows banks to charge now for the use of debit cards. The President has the missionaries on such a tight budget, so this will have to be taken into consideration.

Rich has been trying to decide if he should turn his crutches back in to the medical supply outlet that rented them to him, or should he pay 20 more pesos and keep them for two more weeks. He doesn't need them to walk around the house or the office, but going to and from work on these cobblestone streets and uneven sidewalks makes his leg really tired and he feels the weakness in it. The crutches help take the weight off his leg. So he decided to pay the bucks and keep them. It is about $7.00 to rent them for two weeks. He goes to the doctor again on Monday, August 3.

We didn't take any pictures today, so I am borrowing some from Sister Argyles collection that are on the DVD. During the zone conferences last time, she conducted a segment to teach the missionaries how to lead music.

She used her children to help demonstrate the different leading patterns. They all take piano lessons. But just because one can play the piano, it doesn't mean he or she can automatically lead music.

Every missionary followed along and practiced leading a particular hymn as instructed. It was comical to see the different levels of accomplishment.

She had me help those who were struggling. It was a fun activity.

There are a lot of good voices among the elders, but some are lacking the ability to lead music correctly. And missionaries have to step up often to lead music at baptisms, or at the beginning of Sunday School class. Yes, that is different here. We sing a hymn before the opening prayer in our Sunday School class. In the Gospel Principles class that Rich teaches, there are hymns in the back of the manual.

We love missionaries. They are so cute and a joy to be around.